cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r  ˈkä- 

-lē-

often attributive

: a garden plant (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers

also : its flower cluster used as a vegetable

Examples of cauliflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Purple cauliflower is exciting and worth the space if your family will eat the cauliflower. —Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026

Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts are high in fiber and belong to the same vegetable family as broccoli and cauliflower. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 6 Jan. 2026

Cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and arugula are chockfull of vitamins and minerals that support overall health. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 1 Jan. 2026

Put the cauliflower florets in a food processor, cover and pulse until they’re ground to coarse bits, about the size of raisins, not like fine, riced cauliflower. —Francesca Giuliani Hoffman, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Late Latin caulus, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage) + fiore flower, from Latin flor-, flos — more at cole, blow

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cauliflower

• cauliflower ear

Rhymes for cauliflower

• candlepower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a garden plant closely related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers